Chess Puzzle #21yn1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d7; bishops b3/f4; pawns a2/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c5/e4; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d7→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p2R1ppp/1p2p3/2b1P3/4bB2/1B6/P1P2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 5 18

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